4 ms·

This year it's a thing in France too apparently, or at least some vendors are pushing it. See for instance amazon.fr's frontpage or even the local fnac.com. Whe

by simias 9y ago

This year it's a thing in France too apparently, or at least some vendors are pushing it. See for instance amazon.fr's frontpage or even the local fnac.com. When I saw "black friday" on their landing page I thought I had gone on the american version by accident. It's odd because Thanksgiving is only something you see in American sitcoms over here. American cultural imperialism is really impressive. I can understand why Halloween gets more and more popular over here since it's a fun holiday for kids but I can't figure out how black friday makes any sense when you don't celebrate Thanksgiving. I also don't understand why they hope to make "black friday" a positive brand when the only thing I associate it with is videos of Americans trampling each other to get cheap appliances.

bambax 9y ago
Amazon is indeed actively pushing "Black Friday", and Fnac is playing catchup. But I don't know if anyone in France is aware that "Black Friday" means "discount"...? Also, discount days are regulated in France (called "les soldes"); normally you can't have a discount day any time you want, you have to apply for authorization. I sell on Amazon in Europe for the first time this year (started in January); I don't do discounts but am anxious to see if sales will rise this week-end.
- simias 9y ago
  It's amusing that it means that we now effectively have a "celebration" whose only purpose and justification is buying stuff. I can't think of an equivalent.
- tdeck 9y ago
  > Also, discount days are regulated in France (called "les soldes"); normally you can't have a discount day any time you want, you have to apply for authorization. What is the rationale for that?
  - dragandj 9y ago
    I don't have an answer for this particular thing, but will remind you that any bureaucracy tends to expand. So, what's the (state's bureaucracy) rationale to put itself at a place of control? Do they even need one?
  - icebraining 9y ago
    Portugal has the same rule (and before you couldn't have them at all except in two periods in the year defined by law). The reasoning is to protect small shops from large retailers, by preventing them from forcing unplanned price wars. Similarly, for many years the very large retailers couldn't open on Sunday afternoons, although that restriction mostly benefited the large chains of medium-sized shops, since it was based on the size of the shop rather than the company.
    - tested23 9y ago
      So basically some anti competitive bullshit that is further hampering the already struggling French economy. I am so thankful that I live in the us.
      - simias 9y ago
        Because American retailers fare so much better these days and it's clearly powering the US economy[0]. Because preventing small retailer from being starved by big chains is what's sinking the french economy. Because clearly I can tell from your comment that you spent a lot of time investigating these regulations and their impact on the french economy. I'm so thankful that you live in the US. [0] https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/04/business/the-economics-and-nostalgia-of-dead-malls.html https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/04/business/the-economics-an...
        freeone3000 9y ago
        Small stores and local retail are dying out due to the cheapness, convenience, and selection of online retail. As a consumer, the online stores are more convenient and save me money. If a local store can't offer anything preferable to some faceless multinational, what is it really doing other than giving some of my money to someone who doesn't add any value?
        simias 9y ago
        It was just my knee-jerk reaction to the insightless french-bashing comment. I don't have a strong opinion on the matter. Mall culture was never as prevalent in Europe as it is in the US so it's hard to compare directly.
yardie 9y ago
Just a few things I wanted to point out as a former Parisian. Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday. Usually, if work allows it, everyone takes the Friday off as well. The French are familiar with this, "le pont" unofficial holiday. This friday is almost exactly 1 month before Christmas. Black Friday serves as a signal that Christmas shopping begins now.

by simias 9y ago

bambax 9y ago

Amazon is indeed actively pushing "Black Friday", and Fnac is playing catchup. But I don't know if anyone in France is aware that "Black Friday" means "discount"...? Also, discount days are regulated in France (called "les soldes"); normally you can't have a discount day any time you want, you have to apply for authorization. I sell on Amazon in Europe for the first time this year (started in January); I don't do discounts but am anxious to see if sales will rise this week-end.

simias 9y ago
It's amusing that it means that we now effectively have a "celebration" whose only purpose and justification is buying stuff. I can't think of an equivalent.
tdeck 9y ago
> Also, discount days are regulated in France (called "les soldes"); normally you can't have a discount day any time you want, you have to apply for authorization. What is the rationale for that?
- dragandj 9y ago
  I don't have an answer for this particular thing, but will remind you that any bureaucracy tends to expand. So, what's the (state's bureaucracy) rationale to put itself at a place of control? Do they even need one?
- icebraining 9y ago
  Portugal has the same rule (and before you couldn't have them at all except in two periods in the year defined by law). The reasoning is to protect small shops from large retailers, by preventing them from forcing unplanned price wars. Similarly, for many years the very large retailers couldn't open on Sunday afternoons, although that restriction mostly benefited the large chains of medium-sized shops, since it was based on the size of the shop rather than the company.
  - tested23 9y ago
    So basically some anti competitive bullshit that is further hampering the already struggling French economy. I am so thankful that I live in the us.
    - simias 9y ago
      Because American retailers fare so much better these days and it's clearly powering the US economy[0]. Because preventing small retailer from being starved by big chains is what's sinking the french economy. Because clearly I can tell from your comment that you spent a lot of time investigating these regulations and their impact on the french economy. I'm so thankful that you live in the US. [0] https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/04/business/the-economics-and-nostalgia-of-dead-malls.html https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/04/business/the-economics-an...
      - freeone3000 9y ago
        Small stores and local retail are dying out due to the cheapness, convenience, and selection of online retail. As a consumer, the online stores are more convenient and save me money. If a local store can't offer anything preferable to some faceless multinational, what is it really doing other than giving some of my money to someone who doesn't add any value?
        simias 9y ago
        It was just my knee-jerk reaction to the insightless french-bashing comment. I don't have a strong opinion on the matter. Mall culture was never as prevalent in Europe as it is in the US so it's hard to compare directly.

yardie 9y ago

Just a few things I wanted to point out as a former Parisian. Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday. Usually, if work allows it, everyone takes the Friday off as well. The French are familiar with this, "le pont" unofficial holiday. This friday is almost exactly 1 month before Christmas. Black Friday serves as a signal that Christmas shopping begins now.